Can-handling device.



E. BONK & M. PLOTKA.)

CAN HANDLING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED'SEPT. 12. 1917.

1,252,2Q6, Patented Jan. 1,1918.

2 SHBETSSHEET I.

INVENTORS Edwaf'd Bonk Michael Plofka ATTORNEY E. BONK & M. PLOTKA.

CAN HANDLLNG DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, 1911.

Patented. Jan. 1,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHBET Z.

Lzsmzs,

INVENTORSI Edward Bonk WITNESSES Michael Plofka ATTORNEY are.

, cAN-HANnLme DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat we, EDWARD BONK and MICHAEL PLoTKA, citizens of the United States, residing at Chilton, in the county of Calumet and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Can-Handling Devices, ofwhich the follow ing is a specification.

This invention comprehcnds the provision of a fork designed for handling a large number of open top cans, and is particularly useful in unloading a car of cans Withoutinjuring the hands, or for feeding cans in large numbers to a track orconveyerin a factory.

More specifically stated, the invention emtion will be better understood when the following detail description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings,

the invention residing in the construction, combination and ar angement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this specification like numerals of reference indlcate similar parts in the several views and wherein 1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fork showing the normal position of the component parts thereof. s I

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the position of the prongs for holding cans thereon. Fig. 3 is 'a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. y

Fig. 4 is a view showing a row of cans,

and the position of the forks prior to associationof the latter with the cans.

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing the manner of supporting the cans with the forks.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through one of the cans showing the position-ofthe forks therein for supporting-the same.

The device forming the subject matterof our invention as shownin'thisspecific. instance embodies two elongated strips 10 and 11 respectively with the latter being hingedly connected to the strip for pivotal movement dicated at 12. Projecting from the strip 10 with respect thereto, the hinges being in- Specification of Letters Patent.

,posed or when the fork is associated with the cans,

are handles 13 which are suitably spaced apart, while projecting from the strip 11 are handles 14, the latter being disposed in uXta-position to the handles 13, and in the same plane. Interposed between each pair of handles 13 and 14 respectively is a coil Patented Jan. @1918. Application filed September 12, 1917. Serial No. Iii 1,061. I

spring 15 which tends to maintain said handles spaced, and the strips 10 and 11 in face to face: contact. Of course, one or two handles may be used. Pro ecting from the strip 10 is'a longitudinal series of spaced prongs 16, while projecting in the same direction from the strip 11 isa longitudinal'series of prongs 17, the latter being spaced the same distance apart as the prongs 17 whereby the prongs of the respective strips will be arranged in pairs. The prongs 16 are relatively lon compared with the length of the prongs 1% so as to maintain the cans solidly on the de- I vice but the prongs of each row beingpreferably covered with rubber or other suitable material 18 with a view of obtaining a better hold upon the cans in a manner to be presently described. ,It might here be stated,

that the forkin its entirety may vary in size, and that the component parts .of the invention may be constructed from any suitable-material. And while wehave shown and described but two" rows of prongs, with the prongs of the respective rows disposed in parallelism, we desire to have it understood that We do not limit ourselves to this specific arrangement, and that different numbers of rows of prongs may be provided with the prongs in a somewhat staggered relation if desired.

As her'einabove stated the invention is particularly adapted for handling a large number of open top cans, and we have shown to the positioningof the prongs within the cans. It will be noted that each pair of the prongs 16 and 17 .respectively are disin parallelism and closely associated,

one pair of these prongs enters each can. Then, by drawing the handles 14in the direction of the handles 13, the strip 11 is moved about its pivot,'thus separating the row of prongs 17 from the prongs 16. Conin Fig. 4 a row of such cans, with the fork I positioned with respect thereto, ust prior sequently each pair of prongs 16 and 17 respectively within each can, assumes a divergent'relation, bearing against the walls of p the can in a manner to maintain the cans fixed relatively to said prong. As long as the prongs are ,niaintained in this position, the fork in itsentirety can be supported vertically, horizontally, or in any other position without any danger of the cans becoming separated from the fork.' As, above stated the prongs are wrappedwith rubber or other suitable material, so that when they are brought into contact with the walls of the can they take hold of the latter in the manner to prevent any relative movement or play between the can and the prongs positioned-therein. When the-cans have been lifted, and-placed'at their proper destination, it is only necessary to release the handles 14, when the springs 15 function to. return the handles 14 to their normal position, during which time of course the strip 11 and the prongs 17 are brought toward each other to their normal position, and the fork can be subsequently easily and quickly separated from the can. I

.While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the'nature and advantages of the invention will be. readily" apparent, we desireto have it understood that what is herein shown and described is'i'nerely illustra-tive of one embodiment of the invention, to which we do not limit ourselves, and that such changes may be resorted to when de-' sired as fall within the scope of-what is claimed,

What is claimed is I -1. A can handling device comprising support, SilldSllPpOIil including a fixed se'c-Q tionand a relatively movable section associated therewitlna row of prongs projecting from each section, yieldable means normally holding said sections in. a. position whereby the prongs of one row are-disposed 1n parallelism with the prongs of the other row, the

prongs of one row "being relatively long with regard to'the prongs of the other row,

and means for, adjusting said movable sectionwhereby the rowsTof prongs assume a divergent relation.

2. Acan handling device comprising, a

. support includinghingedly connected sections, a row of relatively long prongs projecting from one of said sections, arow of relatively short prongs projecting from the other of said sections and normally disposed in parallelism withthe first mentioned row,-

yieldable means normally maintaining the rows of said prongs parallel, a covering of pliablematerial foreach of said prongs,

and means for changing the normal positions of sand sections, whereby said rows of prongs assume a divergent relation.

3. A can handling device comprising a support, including a fixed section, and a 1 relatively movable section associated therewith, a row of prongs projecting from each section, the prongs of one row' being relatively long compared with the prongs of the other row, a plurality of handles projecting from each section, and said handles being arranged in pairs, a spring interposed be-.

tween each pair of handles and normally maintaining the sections positioned whereby the rows of prongs are arranged in' arallelism, and said handles when broug t together against the tension, of said springsserving to cause said rows of prongs to assume a divergent relation for the purpose speclfied.

4. A device for handling a plurality of i open top cans, comprising a pair of hingedly connected members, a row of prongs projecting from each member, said prongs being adapted to be positioned within the cans with one of said rods engaging the corresponding walls of the canswforming a support for-the latter, and means whereby the other row of prongs may be moved into engagement with the opposite walls of said cans to hold the latter fixed relatively upon said prongs.

5. A device for handling open top cans, comprising a pair of hingedly c onnected members, a row of prongs projectlng from one row of prongs being relatively long and adapted to engage against one wall of the cans when initially arranged within the latter, the other row of prongs being relatively short, and means whereby the latter mentioned row may be moved into engagement with the opposed walls of the cans, to engageth e cans in a manner to retain the latter solidly .arranged upon said prongs.

f 6. A device for handling open top cans comprising a pair of hingedly connected members, a row of prongs projecting from each member and disposed in parallelism, said prongs being adapted to be positioned withinthe cans with one row of prongs initially engaging one wall of the can, a handle EDWARD BON'K. MICHAEL PLOTKA.

1.. each member and vdisposed in parallelism,

Ill

\ 1Y1I In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures. 

